Literary Studies in the Digital Age: An Undergraduate Literature Symposium

Some of the ENGL 310 student presenters (left to right): Cindric White (BA ‘28, Secondary Education), Kaylee Bravo (BA ’26, English), Harrison Jones (BA ’28, English), and Beck Woodard (BA ‘27, Secondary Education) pictured with faculty instructor Dr. Wendy Matlock following the symposium. Last November 22, the two 2024 fall sections of English 310 “Introduction … Continue reading Literary Studies in the Digital Age: An Undergraduate Literature Symposium

Undergrad Student Spotlight: Rylan Jackson

Rylan Jackson (BA '26) AI IS THE DEATH OF MEDIOCRITY AND THE LIFEBLOOD OF EXCELLENCE Imagine that I just cleared my throat. Those guttural sounds of clogged up mucus being shredded away, like that of a garbage disposal. Alright. Image completed? Then strap yourselves in and clench your toes: we’re talking about the dreaded topic … Continue reading Undergrad Student Spotlight: Rylan Jackson

Undergrad Student Spotlight: Catherine Torkelson

Catherine Torkelson (BA '24) As I approached the final stretch of my undergraduate degree, a certain question started looming, one I had been pointedly avoiding: what next? There are so many possible destinations for an English major—technical writing, screen writing, magazine editing, library sciences, law school, and so much more—but I didn’t know which one … Continue reading Undergrad Student Spotlight: Catherine Torkelson

September 2024 Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity

Traci Brimhall poses with her contribution to the collection of poems "Poetry Harvest: Poems for the Kansas State Fair" (2024) Each month during the academic year, we assemble a newsletter of the department's recent publications, presentations, announcements, and awards. We're happy to recognize the recent successes in research, scholarship, and creative activity outlined below.  Want … Continue reading September 2024 Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity

Undergrad Student Spotlight: Nichole Maryse Harris

Nichole Maryse Harris (BA '25) (photo by Sophie Osborn) Telling people my major in college has become a repetitive process. There’s a moment where they ask me, innocently and habitually curious, and there’s a half-second where I debate whether or not I should lie. Sometimes, depending on the person, I do. Old people at work, … Continue reading Undergrad Student Spotlight: Nichole Maryse Harris

What Makes a Great Book? Answers in Infographic Arguments

ENGL 287 "Great Books" (Spring 2024) The Spring ‘24 in-person section of English 287 “Great Books” asked the question, “What Makes a Great Book?” We read novels, a short story, a graphic memoir, and a collection of poetry, and students wrote final papers addressed to a specific audience that explained what made one of those … Continue reading What Makes a Great Book? Answers in Infographic Arguments

Recognizing Banned Books Week 2024 at K-State

Banned Books Week 2024 (Artwork courtesy of the American Library Association) As I feel the nostalgic and contemplative air of Fall take affect on me, I reach for my well-loved copy of On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong. Vuong’s introspective and evocative prose transcends me into a world of understanding oneself through the … Continue reading Recognizing Banned Books Week 2024 at K-State

Summer 2024 Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity

Cover for Anne Longmuir's John Ruskin and the Victorian Woman Writer (Routledge, 2025) Each month during the academic year, we assemble a newsletter of the department's recent publications, presentations, announcements, and awards. The issue for September showcases a greater range of research, scholarship, and creative activity that our faculty and students have shared beyond Kansas … Continue reading Summer 2024 Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity

Undergrad Student Spotlight: Riley Brokeshoulder

Riley Brokeshoulder (BA '25) Through the McNair Scholars Program I was able to participate in the eight-week summer research internship and craft a collection of flash nonfiction essays, with the help of my mentor Dr. Traci Brimhall. For this project, I knew I wanted to center the essays around grief and to conduct research by … Continue reading Undergrad Student Spotlight: Riley Brokeshoulder

Projects from ENGL 745 “Indigenous Film”

Today’s blog brings you two examples of creative work that mesh the visual and theoretical in compelling ways. These two pieces — a documentary film/personal research reflection filmed and edited by Elizabeth Elliott (MA ‘25) related to the Kansas Land Treaties project and a glossary/zine/theory/creative writing hybrid collaboratively created by Aidia Kite (BA '24) and … Continue reading Projects from ENGL 745 “Indigenous Film”